Ellen G. White: The Progressive Years: 1862-1876 (vol. 2)

The Final Outcome

Before leaving the question of the reform dress, we look ahead a few years. Considerable was written on the topic in the Review and Herald and the Health Reformer through a period of about four years. Many of the Adventist women cheerfully adopted the dress and were benefited, but its acceptance was not general; there was opposition and criticism. Some overlooked the statement that “none were compelled to adopt the reform dress.”—Testimonies for the Church, 4:639. Among extremists this reform seemed to constitute the sum and substance of their religion. Consequently, “because that which was given as a blessing was turned into a curse, the burden of advocating the reform dress was removed.”—Manuscript 167, 1897 (see also The Story of Our Health Message, 168). Seventh-day Adventist women were urged to “adopt a simple, unadorned dress of modest length.” The following suggestion was made: 2BIO 183.4

A plain sack or loose-fitting basque, and skirt, the latter short enough to avoid the mud and filth of the streets.... The same attention should be given to the clothing of the limbs as with the short dress.—Testimonies for the Church, 4:640. 2BIO 184.1

When in 1897 some of the Adventist women thought that in their loyalty to the Spirit of Prophecy counsels they should adopt and advocate the reform dress of the 1860s, Ellen White advised against it, stating: 2BIO 184.2

Some have supposed that the very pattern given was the pattern that all were to adopt. This is not so. But something as simple as this would be the best we could adopt under the circumstances. No one precise style has been given me as the exact rule to guide all in their dress.—Letter 19, 1897 (see also The Story of Our Health Message, 169). 2BIO 184.3

Prevailing styles were changing in favor of more healthful attire, and Ellen White did not favor introducing a subject that would divert the minds of Seventh-day Adventists from their mission and cause. She urged: 2BIO 184.4

Let our sisters dress plainly, as many do, having the dress of good material, durable, modest, appropriate for this age, and let not the dress question fill the mind.—Ibid. [For a discussion of the reform dress in further depth, see Ibid., 112-130, 156-171, 441-445.] 2BIO 184.5